Fishing Reports for May 22
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
The all-depth halibut fishery will be open May 2, 5, 9, 12, 24 and 26 as long as there is sufficient quota. If quota remains after May 26, the Columbia River subarea would be open two days per week, Thursday and Sunday, until the remaining quota is achieved. The nearshore area opens to fishing May 6 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at the WDFW website. The all depth-fishery will be managed to 14,627 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
The all-depth halibut fishery will be open May 2, 5, 9, 12, and 24 as long as there is sufficient quota. If sufficient quota remains, the northern nearshore area will open on the Saturday after the all-depth fishery closes and will continue seven days per week until the overall quota is taken. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at the WDFW website. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 62,896 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Halibut fishing on a friend’s boat last Saturday, May 11th out of La Push was a 30 mile ride each way, and 6-8 ft seas with wind chop on top – but once we got out there, we got four sub-25lb halibut pretty easily, there were maybe 30 boats from Neah Bay and La Push way the heck out there – the catching was pretty steady. There were a few lingcod caught there, and we came inside later to the Rock Pile and picked up a couple more, we finished the day with four halibut and four lingcod for four anglers… no bass fishing that day.
Saturday May 18th it was windy at La Push and according to Jim Richeson at Top Notch Charters, only one boat went out, they got fish, but got beat around a bit in the process.
Sunday May 19th, Nathan and I went bottom fishing out of La Push on Top Notch Charters, there was very little wind, but the seas were 6-8 foot rollers. We fished lingcod at the Rock Pile, limited four anglers (two lingcod each), and then went inside for the rockfish. The rockfish fishing was a little slow at first due to the current running so hard, but once we got on some bigger structure, the fish came easily and we limited four anglers on black sea bass (seven fish each).
Report contributed by Norm Nelson.
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
Marine areas 4 will open May 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 24, 26, June 6, 8, 20, and 22, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for MA3 and MA4 is 128,187 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine Area 5
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
no report this week
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
Ling cod fishing opens 5/1/19 and runs through 6/15/19 the Tacoma Narrows is most popular along the Tacoma side shoreline on the tide changes.
For a more updated report call (253)404-3960.
There is no crabbing in MA 11 or 13
Point Defiance Marina has rental boats and motors and launch and overnight moorage facilities with pump out stations and shore power. In addition, we have storage space for boats up to 17 feet as well as kayak storage. Please call ahead if there is wind or fog to see if rental boats are able to be out due to limited visibility. We have many items for those seeking gifts as well as gift cards. For more information call 253-404-3960.
Hours are 6 am to 8 pm 7 days a week. Tenants have until 8:30 pm for the elevators.
Point Defiance Marina Classes and Events at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO
Basic Fishing (Adult Age 15+) Saturday, May 25, 2019 10 am to 12 pm
ABC Boater’s Education – WA State Boater’s Card Qualified Wednesdays 7-9 pm May 1, 8,15,22,29, 2019
Monday/Thursday 7-9 pm June 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 2019
PD Marina Spring Swap Meet Saturday, May 4, 2019 10 am to 3 pm Free to shop- Boating and fishing items as well as other swap meet booths
Point Defiance Marina Summer Sails and Trails Camp Sign Ups Open Now
Ages 11-15
July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29 to Aug 2, 2019
M-F 8 am to 5 pm
Cost $265 per week
Participants spend the week fishing at PD Marina, Trails and Beach hikes at Point Defiance Park, with afternoons at Tacoma Youth Marine Center Sailing and Introduction to Kayaking.
One afternoon is at Foss Waterfront Seaport Center learning marine and environmental education.
More info genea@tacomaparks.com. To register MetroParksTacoma.org/GO (253)305-1022
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Gene Anderson, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 genea@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Marine Area 12
no report this week
Freshwater – Greys Harbor Rivers
no report this week
British Columbia
Bamfield
no report this week
Barkley Sound, Port Alberni, and Ucluelet
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing had been GOOD near Becher Bay. Anglers reported lots of springs at 40 to 90 feet between Creyke Point and Beechey Head. Several of the springs released were in the high 20’s and one around 30 lbs. Anglers were mostly using spoons for lures. Good spoons have been Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and Coyotes with green in the colour mix. Anchovies were working too and good colours for teaser heads were Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Needlefish hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, the Bon Chovy, and Gold Fever Hot Spot flashers had been working well. Other anglers that we know of fishing here were out for halibut and lingcod. Halibut fishing was slow, but some nice Lingcod were taken.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Oak Bay
Chris Arnott with a hatchery marked spring about to be released in Oak Bay
Catch and release chinook fishing was GOOD in Oak Bay. It wasn’t as hot as in previous weeks but there was still good action. Some springs in the 10 lb. to mid-teens size were caught both jigging and trolling on the Flats near Brodie Rock. Trollers were catching the salmon bottom bouncing spoons in 90 – 120 feet of water. Coho killers, Wee G’s and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons have been the spoons of choice. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers had been having great success near Brodie Rock using Deep Stingers and Point Wilson Darts. Halibut fishing was slow in this area. That said, Ian Bishop caught a 51.9 lb. halibut in Haro Strait using herring for bait. Ian now takes over 4th place on our halibut board.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com. The cover image of this week’s reports was also contributed by Vaida.
Pedder Bay
Pedder Bay Marina reported FAIR salmon fishing at Pedder Bay until the chinook retention closure. The only anglers that we know of fishing here were out for halibut, lingcod and crabs. Lingcod fishing and crabbing was GOOD this past week. Whirl Bay was slightly better than Pedder Bay. Coyote style spoons had been working well as the fish are targeting herring more than needlefish. Anchovies in green glow teaser had also been effective. Good choices for teaser head colors are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were working with green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good color choices. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Bon Chovy and Lemon Lime.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Sidney
Cole Island was the hot spot this past week for anglers doing catch and release fishing for spring salmon. The fish were of good size, with many in the 12 – 18 lb. size range. Salmon fishing was slower near the Powder Wharf for anglers working jigs. Prawning has been good in Saanich Inlet. More anglers were prawning than fishing for finfish. Before the closure, anglers trolling for salmon had been using Skinny Gee spoons or anchovies. Suggested spoons are Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny G and Wee G spoons and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Suggested colours are Cop Car and Trap Shack. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good in Glow or UV Purple teaser heads.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Sooke
Salmon fishing had been FAIR until the chinook retention closure. We do not know of anyone who was out doing catch and release salmon fishing since the closure. The best salmon fishing had been near Secretary Island and Otter Point. The fish were close to the bottom in 100-150 feet depths. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good. Green and glow has been the hot color combination for spoons. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Anchovies and herring had been good as well. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Popular flashers had been the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, the Bon Chovy, the Madi and the Super Betsey.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Vancouver
Right on schedule, the South Bowen Chinook fishery has really perked up! Over the last few days there has been some explosive bites with very good numbers of legal and undersized chinook salmon.
Like every April around this time, the longer, warmer days trigger a plankton bloom in local waters. This change in the food web, causes the herring, anchovies and sticklebacks to push offshore. Where the bait fish go, the chinook will go and that is exactly what has happened! Depending on the day, the fish have been from tight to shore all the way out to the Hump. The QA and the Bell Buoy have also had some good periods of activity. This fishery will continue for the next 6 to 8 weeks. We can only hope it will finish as strong as it is starting.
We have been having our best success on spoons. G Force and Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons are doing the job nicely. Patterns like the Killy Mcgee, Herring Aide, Trailhead, Bon Chovy, Homeland Security, Irish Cream and Kitchen have all been deadly. No need for bait right now as the spoons are working just fine! The Madi Flasher and the Chartreuse Glow Phantoms have been really good flasher colours!
Crabbing has been good and prawning continues to be very good as well. If you want to drop prawn traps, an 8 hour trip is needed and needs to be requested at the time of booking. Now is the time to get out there!
Give us a call or an email to get out on the water!
For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460, bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com.
Victoria
Salmon fishing was GOOD at Constance Bank for catch and release chinook fishing. That said, most anglers that we know of fishing were out for halibut, rockfish and lingcod. The halibut fishing was SLOW. Closer in along the waterfront it had been SLOW for springs with the most productive area being from Esquimalt to Brotchie Ledge. Anglers had been trolling close to the bottom in 80 to 140 feet of water. Anchovies and herring had been working the best and glow teaser heads were better than the non glow colours. Spoons had been working very well with Skinny G’s and Coho Killers in Irish Cream, Outfitters and the AP Tackleworks 3” herring spoon good choices. Some anglers have reported success with lingcod and Bob Deslippe brought in a 22 lb. 14 oz lingcod.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Lakes and Rivers
Fishing was GOOD for trout and EXCELLENT for bass.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Vancouver
no report this week
Oregon
Tillamook Bay
no report this week
Willamette River
no report this week
Great Lakes
no report this week
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